TOAD
Toad, n. Etym: [OE. tode, tade, AS. tadie, tadige; of unknown origin.
Cf. Tadpole.] (Zoöl.)
Defn: Any one of numerous species of batrachians belonging to the genus Bufo and allied genera, especially those of the family Bufonidæ. Toads are generally terrestrial in their habits except during the breeding season, when they seek the water. Most of the species burrow beneath the earth in the daytime and come forth to feed on insects at night. Most toads have a rough, warty skin in which are glands that secrete an acrid fluid.
Note: The common toad (Bufo vulgaris) and the natterjack are familiar European species. The common American toad (B. lentiginosus) is similar to the European toad, but is less warty and is more active, moving chiefly by leaping. Obstetrical toad. (Zoöl.) See under Obstetrical. — Surinam toad. (Zoöl.) See Pita. — Toad lizard (Zoöl.), a horned toad. — Toad pipe (Bot.), a hollow-stemmed plant (Equisetum limosum) growing in muddy places. Dr. Prior. — Toad rush (Bot.), a low-growing kind of rush (Juncus bufonius). — Toad snatcher (Zoöl.), the reed bunting. [Prov. Eng.] — Toad spittle. (Zoöl.) See Cuckoo spit, under Cuckoo. — Tree toad. (Zoöl.) See under Tree.
TOADEATER Toad"eat`er, n. Etym: [Said to be so called in allusion to an old alleged practice among mountebanks' boys of eating toads (popularly supposed to be poisonous), in order that their masters might have an opportunity of pretending to effect a cure. The French equivalent expression is un avaleur de couleuvres. Cf. Toady.]
Defn: A fawning, obsequious parasite; a mean sycophant; a flatterer;
a toady. V. Knox.
You had nearly imposed upon me, but you have lost your labor. You're
too zealous a toadeater, and betray yourself. Dickens.
TOADFISH Toad"fish`, n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any marine fish of the genus Batrachus, having a large, thick head and a wide mouth, and bearing some resemblance to a toad. The American species (Batrachus tau) is very common in shallow water. Called also oyster fish, and sapo. (b) The angler. (c) A swellfish.
TOADFLAX
Toad"flax`, n. (Bot.)
Defn: An herb (Linaria vulgaris) of the Figwort family, having narrow leaves and showy orange and yellow flowers; — called also butter and eggs, flaxweed, and ramsted.
TOADHEAD
Toad"head`, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: The golden plover. [Local, U.S.]